WHAT U SPEND – English Lyrics

• By: Rio Da Yung Og, Zillionaire Doe
• Album: F.L.I.N.T.

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of modern hip-hop with "WHAT U SPEND" by Rio Da Yung Og and Zillionaire Doe. This track is a masterclass in confident lyricism and a high-octane Michigan-style beat, perfect for anyone looking to learn about contemporary slang and the assertive narratives prevalent in today's rap scene. The song's boastful nature and quick-witted punchlines offer a compelling glimpse into the artists' perspectives on success and hustle.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes.
spend /spɛnd/ A1	verb - to pay out money
right /raɪt/ A1	adverb - immediately; without delay.
doorstep /ˈdɔːrˌstɛp/ A2	noun - a step or platform at a house door.
Louis V /ˈluːi ˈviː/ B2	proper noun - Louis Vuitton, a luxury fashion house.
plug /plʌɡ/ B1	noun - a supplier of illegal drugs.
dope /doʊp/ B1	noun - a drug, especially one that is smoked.
choppers /ˈtʃɑːpərz/ B1	noun - a helicopter, especially one used by the military.
blow /bloʊ/ A2	noun - a dose of a drug, especially cocaine.
ricocheted /ˈrɪʃəˌtʃɛtɪd/ B2	verb - rebound or cause to rebound off a surface.
blowback /ˈbloʊˌbæk/ C1	noun - adverse, unintended consequences of a policy or action.
brick /brɪk/ A2	noun - a block of a substance, typically drugs, pressed into a solid mass.
carat /ˈkærət/ B1	noun - a unit of weight for gemstones, equal to 200 milligrams.
earrings /ˈɪəˌrɪŋz/ A2	noun - a piece of jewelry worn on the ear.
hear /hɪər/ A1	verb - perceive with the ear the sound made by someone or something.
playin' /ˈpleɪɪn/ A1	verb - playing (informal contraction).
spin /spɪn/ A2	verb - to drive or ride a vehicle around a corner or in a circle at high speed, often losing control.
band /bænd/ A2	noun - a sum of money, especially a large one.
clip /klɪp/ B1	noun - a device for holding cartridges in a rifle or other firearm.
Airheads /ˈɛərˌhɛdz/ B2	noun - a brand of chewy, fruity candy, often associated with being somewhat frivolous or silly.
red /red/ A1	adjective - of a color at the end of the spectrum next to orange and opposite violet.
Bear /bɛər/ A1	proper noun - An American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. (Likely referring to a specific person or a well-known figure in the rap community).
ho /hoʊ/ B1	noun - a prostitute or promiscuous woman.
bags /bæɡz/ A1	noun - containers for drugs, often referring to ounces or pounds of drugs.
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	noun - a performance or exhibition, often a concert or event.
nigga /ˈnɪɡə/ B2	noun - A Black person (often used in a derogatory way, but can also be used informally among Black people).
sell /sɛl/ A1	verb - to exchange goods or services for money.
pull up /pʊl ʌp/ B1	phrasal verb - to arrive in a vehicle.
hundred /ˈhʌndrəd/ A1	number - the number equivalent to the product of ten and ten; ten more than ninety-nine.
trunk /trʌŋk/ A2	noun - the storage compartment at the rear of a car.
Flint /flɪnt/ B2	proper noun - A city in Michigan, USA. (Used as a location).
hoes /hoʊz/ B1	noun - prostitutes or promiscuous women (plural of 'ho').
model /ˈmɒdl/ B1	noun - a person employed to display clothing or other goods, or to pose for photographs or art.
focused /ˈfoʊkəst/ B1	adjective - concentrated on one thing.
trap /træp/ B1	noun - a place where illegal drugs are sold or distributed.
open /ˈoʊpən/ A1	verb - to begin or start (a business, establishment, etc.).
ball hard /bɔːl hɑːrd/ B2	phrasal verb - to play a sport with great effort and skill; or to spend money extravagantly.
Cade Cunningham /keɪd ˈkʌnɪŋˌhæm/ C1	proper noun - An American professional basketball player. (Used as a reference to skillful or impressive play).
charm /tʃɑːrm/ B1	noun - a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain.
serve /sɜːrv/ A2	verb - to supply someone with something they need or want.
tan /tæn/ A2	noun - a pale brown color; or a chemical tanning agent.
Ritz /rɪts/ B2	proper noun - The Ritz Hotel, a luxurious hotel chain. (Used to imply a high-class or luxurious setting).
Kim Kard' /kɪm kɑːrˈdeɪʃən/ C1	proper noun - Kim Kardashian, an American media personality, socialite, model, and businesswoman. (Likely used to refer to wealth, fame, or a particular lifestyle).
shit /ʃɪt/ B1	noun - excrement; or nonsense, something worthless. interjection - used to express annoyance, frustration, or anger.
Kay /keɪ/ A1	interjection - Used to express agreement or acknowledgement.
mic /maɪk/ A2	noun - microphone (shortened form).
fall in love /fɔːl ɪn lʌv/ B1	verb phrase - to begin to love someone.
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to perform a particular action or activity.

Key Grammar Structures

• Money is not everything, man, gaffle boys shit.

  ➔ Subject-Verb Agreement

  ➔ In this sentence, 'Money' is a singular subject, and 'is' is the correct singular form of the verb 'to be'.

• What you tryna spend?

  ➔ Informal Contraction and Phrasal Verb

  ➔ 'Tryna' is an informal contraction of 'trying to'. 'Spend' in this context refers to spending money.

• All Louis V on, I'm on some ho shit.

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression and Slang

  ➔ 'All Louis V on' is slang for wearing all Louis Vuitton clothing. 'On some ho shit' is vulgar slang implying a dismissive or disrespected attitude.

• Don't make us bring them choppers where your show at.

  ➔ Imperative Mood and Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The sentence uses the imperative mood ('Don't make us bring') to issue a warning. 'Where your show at' is a colloquial way of saying 'where your show is'.

• The gun ricocheted and then a nigga died from blowback.

  ➔ Past Tense Verbs and Causative Construction

  ➔ 'Ricocheted' and 'died' are past tense verbs. 'A nigga died from blowback' implies the blowback caused the death, a causative relationship.

• We dropped so many shots on they shit, they couldn't blow back.

  ➔ Figurative Language (Metaphor) and Pronoun Usage

  ➔ 'Shots' here refers to bullets or gunfire, a metaphor. 'They' refers to the opposing group. The sentence means they couldn't retaliate due to the overwhelming gunfire.

• Buy a brick from a nigga, cut it, then bring the blow back.

  ➔ Sequential Actions and Informal Vocabulary

  ➔ The sentence describes a process using sequential verbs: 'Buy', 'cut', 'bring'. 'Brick' and 'blow' are drug slang, referring to uncut cocaine and its powdered form.

• I shit talk and keep this shit real, you won't hear me playin'.

  ➔ Subject Complement and Negative Contraction

  ➔ 'Shit talk' is a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement, meaning boastful or boastful talk. 'Won't' is a contraction of 'will not'.

• I can't believe cuz said the same shit Bear said.

  ➔ Modal Verb of Ability/Belief and Reported Speech

  ➔ 'Can't believe' expresses disbelief. The sentence implies that the speaker is reporting what someone named 'Bear' said, and their cousin ('cuz') repeated it.

• Got a load in the trunk, got the trucks in Flint.

  ➔ Implied Subject and Parallel Structure

  ➔ The subject 'I' is implied in both clauses ('I got a load...', 'I got the trucks...'). This creates a parallel structure, emphasizing the extent of their operations.